Full Fathom Five Read-A-Long Week No.2

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The BiblioSanctum is participating in a Read-A-Long! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be joining many other fellow bloggers in a read through of Max Gladstone’s Full Fathom Five.

Full Fathom Five is the the third book in the Craft Sequence, however, each book stands alone. Want to know a little bit about the other books? Check out our reviews here:

Three Parts Dead | Two Serpents Rise

Week 1: July 20 Ch 1-13 – hosted by Allie from Tethyan Books
Week 2: July 27 Ch 14-32 – hosted by Lynn from Little Lion Lynnet’s
Week 3: August 3 Ch 33-50 – hosted by Heather from The Bastard Title
Week 4: August 10 Ch 50-62 – hosted by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow

1) So Margot too is hoping that Izza can lead him to the Blue Lady. What do you make of his vision? Especially in relation to the nightmares that Kai is having. Do you think they’re related?

Wendy: Definitely related. Cat speaks about the connections that are formed among the followers of gods. It seems pretty obvious that the idols have something similar …. though obvious doesn’t mean the real answer is going to be that simple.

Tiara: I would be very surprised if they weren’t related in some manner given how, as how Wendy mentioned, even after the death of an idol/God, there is still some connection between them and the faithful, even if it’s through remembrance of the faithful, add the fact that Kai almost gave her life to save this same idol and it adds up. It’d be quite the red herring if it didn’t.

Mogsy: I think they’re related, I just haven’t worked out how yet. Margot saw a vision that led him to Izza, and given the timing of Kai’s dreams, it’s just too much to be a coincidence for them not to have anything to do with what happened to her in the pool with the dying idol.

2) Teo! Did anyone expect to see Teo? What role do you think she’ll play in the rest of the story?

Wendy: I had to job my memory regarding Teo and am still a bit fuzzy, but more importantly, she is talking about the two serpents, which definitely piques my interest. Her determination implies that she’s definitely going to get involved in Kai’s plans, whether Kai wants her there or not.

Tiara: This is my first Gladstone book I’ve read ever (and yes, for those who know me, I am slightly freaking out starting with a 3rd book), so I’m not sure if this question is based on prior knowledge of the character or a general question because it seems a little too nuanced to be a general question. Since I haven’t read the prior books, all I can say is that I figured Kai’s demotion would bring something interesting her way to add another angle to her story and Teo looks as if she’ll be that new angle.

Mogsy: I’ll be honest, it’s been a while since I read the previous two books. I remember Teo, and it’s always cool to see a past character make an appearance, but I can’t say seeing her again gave me a significant reaction beyond that. Whether she’ll play an important role or just be there for Kai in a support capacity, I have no idea — guess we’ll see!

3) Kai is worried that Mara has set her up. Do you think it likely?

Wendy: I don’t believe Kai is worried that Mara set her up. Rather, she’s considering that as an option, as much as she is considering that Mara (perhaps at Jace’s orders) has slipped her the information in order to do what the Order can’t do right now with Kevarian watching them so closely. This feels a lot like the headstrong and obsessed detective trope where Kai, having had her badge and gun removed, now has to solve this crime on her own.

Tiara: I never put anything past anyone no matter how loyal a character seems to another. Kai’s general assessment of what she considers weaknesses in Mara’s character could point to weakness to treachery, but Kai’s workaholic nature could also point to her being overly critical as Kai can seem to be at times along with her seeming Superwoman complex. So, I can kind of see this going either way, depending on how the author’s creativity goes. Even if it starts pointing more at Mara being a traitor, often stories end where such behavior isn’t actually what it seems.

Mogsy: Good question, because I found myself asking myself that through this whole section, and I’ve flip-flopped on the answer more times than I care to count. I don’t want to see Mara turn out to be a traitor, if for no other reason because it would be really bad for Kai. At the same time, there are things about Mara that just don’t add up for me at this point. If I have to choose though, I guess I’ll lean towards…no. Seems that’s what the story wants us to think, and I am always suspicious when I feel like I’m being led one way or another.

4) It seems everyone is having discussions of faith with one another. That’s not particularly surprising given the tenor of the books, I know, but still. How does what we’ve learned from Cat and Margot in these chapters affect your feelings on the idea of gods, Craft or Idols that Allie asked?

Wendy: I’m still feeling the idols right now, as they feel a lot less distant than the gods, and certainly less manipulative than the Dead Kings, however, there is still much to learn about what they are capable of — and the idols themselves are perhaps trying to understand that too.

Tiara: I had to go back to the previous questions since I didn’t get the opportunity to participate before. I’m assuming this questions relates to how readers feel about gods/idols. I’m still not exactly sure how I feel about any of them at this point and I think this is largely due to how I approach faith in general (and not knowing much about this universe in general). Faith in general is something I look at from a more analytical view and this book is no different. I appreciate the ideas of idols being avatars of sorts for people to worship and be blessed by while their gods are absent or whatever. This allows for a more realistic connection to their faith in some ways than some other ways the gods are worshipped (I guess since this is my first encounter with gods and idols of this world). I also like the idea that even though an idol is supposed to be mainly this mindless thing, that some connection can be forged with a believer or someone with a strong enough faith that can make it more than that if we’re to go by Margot’s experience.

Mogsy: I’m like Tiara — I take a very analytical, mind-over-heart approach when it comes to matters of faith. And I admit I rarely think about such things when I’m reading a fantasy novel, where I’m more inclined to just go with the flow on a lot of the story and its characters’ notions of religion, faith and gods. I do think it’s kind of unique (and slightly amusing) though, that in this book, worship and faith is invested into the idols in a manner that is somewhat similar to the bundling of assets in a financial portfolio.

5) We’re getting a better idea of what Penitence means for the people of Kavekana. What do you think of their idea of punishment now that you have a better idea of how it works?

Wendy: The act of punishing people in this way seems very harsh, especially when you consider that someone like Izza could end up in one because she’s a street urchin trying to survive. Is she a bad person? No. Was Claude? Perhaps not. But now Claude’s mind has been “aligned” more appropriately due to his time in the rock box. Interestingly, in spite of this regimented punishment, the island itself maintains its relaxed, lost in time vibe. Other than the shrieking Penitents walking around, there doesn’t seem to be an overtly hive mind, dictatorship going on.

Tiara: The Penitents are certainly one of the most creative punishments I’ve read in a book. As the story has gone on and we’ve learned more and more, they seem much too excessive for some crimes, especially considering the emotional and physical toll they take on criminals. You’d think they would reserve something like that for the worst of the worst, but it seems like even petty thievery can damn you to that torture. However, if you want to put the fear of God (some pun intended) in someone to be mindful of what they do, they serve their purpose… mostly. If large stone prisons with screaming people inside won’t deter most people…

Mogsy: I think the idea itself is very original and awesome (I’d expect nothing less from a Craft Sequence novel, after all) though in practice it sounds traumatic and downright sucky. Penitents do a good job being an incentive to obey the law, though. You commit a crime, you get placed into a Penitent. You come out of the Penitent after doing your time, and emerge as a changed person. Then apparently, you join the Watch. I have to say, this does put the enforcers in a special position to sympathize with the condemned, and to understand what the punished will go through.

6) Kai has built up an idea of what’s going on, but what do you think happened? Did Margot really steal soul without realising it or is there something else going on?

Wendy: I don’t believe his theft was intentional, anymore than it was for Izza and the kids. The thefts all seemed to have occured in moments of utter fear/heightened emotions — that last cry to the gods before doom. But something about Seven Alpha made her respond. Physically respond. Is that something Kai’s involvement has done? Is it some sort of experimental change in the idol that the investors have done that perhaps the higher ups in the Order (like Jace) know about, but people like Kai and Mara don’t? Perhaps Kevarian’s investigation is to determine how much the Order knows and will tell…

Tiara: I’m conflicted about Margot and want to read more before I start making theories. On one hand, he seems a bumbling fool who really did just stumble on this great miracle, and I really want to believe that. On the other hand, as Izza puts it, even though Margot doesn’t feel like a threat to her anymore than he does to Kai: “…the worst predators she’d known were the ones that put the most effort into seeming normal. Still, even poor predators had teeth.”

Mogsy: I don’t think he had any idea what he was doing when he committed the theft. Like Kai notes, if Margot really knew the significance of what he did, he wouldn’t be living the poor artists’ life right now, he’d be rolling in dough instead while trying his darndest to get away with the crime. But here he is, so desperate to find his muse again. So, I’m inclined to trust Kai’s instincts on this one.